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Commissioners award North Foothills Bikeway design contract to OTEC over lower bid after debate
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a roughly $5 million contract award for preliminary and final design of the North Foothills Bikeway to OTEC despite a lower bid from the other proposer; the board discussed funding sources and timing and rejected a tabling motion.
The Board of County Commissioners on April 22 approved a design contract award recommendation for the North Foothills Bikeway preliminary and final design to OTEC. County staff said two proposals were received, OTEC scored highest overall and—despite a higher price—offered what staff called the best value for a project expected to cross or use Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) land.
Alexandra Phillips, the county’s bike planner and project manager for the North Foothills Bikeway, told the board the evaluation committee included county staff and partners from the city of Boulder and the town of Lyons and that the committee “recommends awarding to OTEC.” Phillips said the project will require careful coordination with OSMP and possible easements and that OTEC has experience with constrained multi‑use path projects. Staff described the project as approximately a $5,000,000 design and construction package and said the two bids were roughly $2,000,000 apart.
Commissioner Ashley Stoltzman questioned whether the contract would pull funds from the general fund and whether the county could afford the higher bid given recent budget pressures; Alexandra Phillips and staff clarified the funding source is the transportation sales tax. Commissioners discussed the merit of awarding to the higher‑cost firm with greater demonstrated experience versus selecting the lower bidder. One commissioner proposed tabling the award until after a budget retreat to allow further review; that motion did not receive a second.
After discussion, the board approved the recommendation to award the contract to OTEC. The county will proceed with contract negotiation and next steps on design. Staff noted the procurement policy directs selection for best value, factoring expertise and project certainty as well as cost.
Provenance: topicintro — "Good morning, commissioners. I'm Alexandra Phillips, the bike planner for the county..." topicfinish — "All in favor. Aye. Any in opposition? No."
